EU members approve five big pan-European defence projects
The projects are eligible for EU funding and aim to close gaps in air defense, maritime security, drones and eastern border protection.
- On Monday, Sept. 28, the Council of the EU approved five bloc-wide defense projects to bolster security across air, maritime, space, drone, and eastern-flank domains, with Ukraine joining four of the initiatives.
- The European Commission proposed these projects in July to address capability gaps, while the Eastern Flank Watch originated in October 2025 following a Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace.
- Kyiv plays a key role in the drone-focused DECODER project, estimated at 3.5 billion euros, while the Eastern Flank Watch remains the costliest initiative at up to 100 billion euros by 2036.
- Defense Minister Helen McEntee said, "These projects further demonstrate the practical cooperation between EU member states to provide for our own security," as Ukraine aims to address anti-ballistic missile vulnerabilities through EU-FIAMD.
- Officials cited concerns regarding Moscow-backed sabotage of undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, prompting the maritime project to integrate military and civilian personnel monitoring fuel pipelines, wind turbines, and internet cables.
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Drones, air defense, maritime defence are financed from EUR 1.5 billion of EDIP funds.
EU member states have approved the first five European defence projects of common interest, paving the way for funding for joint defence programmes, with a focus on drones, air defence and the protection of the Union's eastern flank. According to the European Commission's announcement, the projects cover five priority areas and are as follows: "DECODER", for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and systems to counter them. "IMSD" for mari…
Projects enable member states to jointly develop 'critical' defense capabilities
EU Approves Five Major Joint Defence Projects to Boost Europe’s Military Capabilities
EU members approved plans for five defence projects that will receive EU funding. These projects aim to improve Europe’s defence in areas like space, sea, air, and drone warfare. The European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) enable collaboration among EU countries on initiatives too large or complex for one member to handle alone. The […]
Today, the European Council announced the approval of five defence projects of common interest to strengthen Europe ' s defence readiness and industrial capacity.
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